FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice
April 1, 2026
Contact: John Philo, jphilo@sugaraw.org,(313)-993-4505/(313) 801-8211
Liz Jacob, ljacob@sugarlaw.org, (313)-993-4505
Public Workers Free Speech Lawsuit Against the University of Michigan Moves Forward in Federal Court
This is a critical step forward for Palestine solidarity student protesters and workers to hold the University of Michigan accountable for violating their Free Speech Rights.
DETROIT — On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the Honorable Judge Stephen Murphy in the Eastern District of Michigan denied significant portions of the University of Michigan’s Motion to Dismiss the Hakim et al., v. Regents et al., lawsuit filed by former workers at the University who were terminated and blacklisted from former employment because they expressed speech in support of Palestinian human rights.
“We applaud the court’s decision for recognizing that our clients have a right to be free from retaliation when engaging in free speech and petitioning their University to change policies and support the human rights of Palestinians.” said John Philo, Executive & Legal Director from the Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice. “While we are disappointed that the University was not found to be required to follow minimal due process before taking adverse actions against workers, we will explore an appeal of those issues at a future time to affirm the principle that the University cannot terminate and permanently ban persons from employment on a fabricated basis and then ignore minimal Constitutional due process requirements.”
In May 2025, the Sugar Law Center and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee filed the Hakim et al., v. Regents et al., lawsuit to protect the Constitutional and civil rights of workers whom the University of Michigan terminated and forever barred from future employment because they participated in pro-Palestine protests on the University’s campus. After attending a peaceful on-campus sit-in to call for the University’s divestment from Israel or participating in an impromptu demonstration on public sidewalks to call on Regents to meet with students and support divestment, workers were targeted by the University with adverse employment actions.
The University of Michigan Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit in August 2025, and the Honorable Judge Murphy heard oral arguments on the motion in December 2025. Following Judge Murphy’s decision on March 31, 2026, the Plaintiffs’ due process and conspiracy claims were dismissed. However, the Plaintiffs’ core First Amendment claims – that they were retaliated against by their public employer because of their speech – will move forward. This is a significant victory of the Plaintiffs and an important step forward to advance the rights of workers and student protesters.
The Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys John Philo, Liz Jacob, and Tony Paris from the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice; the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Law Office of Herbert Sanders, and attorney Ezra Ritchin.
See story in the Detroit News by Sarah Atwood.
See decision of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan here.